Liberation of Lugnica

Chapter 3: Insertion

Shortly after Apex arrived at the meeting location, we noticed the temperature getting exceedingly colder. Fortunately, Yukari very quickly opened a gap for us to enter and follow Subaru to the next iteration of the world with our memories intact. As Subaru was going through his various loops, we were waiting for him to figure out how to complete this loop while also waiting for the proper moment to insert Apex into the mix so that he can infiltrate the Emilia camp. Of course, we weren't just sitting around doing nothing. I had Apex go through some last-minute fight training that I made sure to mimic Elsa's movements to the best of my knowledge, as I had to make sure he would be able to handle himself in the fight. I also pumped him with some performance enhancing drugs that were of my own design as to ensure his victory, even if they do come with some painful side effects. As for Rene, I needed her to spy on Ram, as I wanted to know her exact location while these events would be playing out. Turns out, Roswall had told her to continue shopping and ignore trying to find Emilia until two hours after the sun went down. He also told her that she will be in the Slums by the Loot House. I planned on using this information to plant a seed of doubt in Roswall's new tool, as well as encourage the boy to trust me more than him. Afterall, it's much easier to dupe someone into believing you have their best intentions when you offer superpowers versus just a job. It also served as a way of restricting Roswall from just outright holding Apex hostage in the mansion as an insurance policy. As for Milk, I actually had her go around pickpocketing and stealing money from people. It's not like they'll be needing it anyways, and increasing our overall funds never hurt. But I told her to be here when it is time to go, which she normally obeyed with the exception of the first time where we almost left her. Eventually we got to the loop where he called for the guards and immediately, we all went into position. Rene, Milk and I went to Irlam village in order to set up and arrived there shortly before the sun started setting. By that time, I could tell that Apex had begun his part of the plan.

"Is this the place...uh", Apex said, pretending not to know Subaru's and Felt's name as to not arouse suspicion.

"Yep! This is Old Man Rom's place", Felt said with enthusiasm. Subaru looked up at the building with a slight hint of fear in his eye. Apex sighed and followed the two into the building.

"Hey, Felt, whose those two", Rom said while handling the bar.

"Oh, this is Subaru, and the other guy is Apex."

"Oh alright, as long as those two don't go messin up my place we're good."

Subaru then speaks up and asks for his phone to be appraised in accordance with the deal he made with Felt. Meanwhile, Apex just sits back and watches the interaction in silence, allowing it to play out as normal.

"So, this is what a metia looks like", Rom questioned, having seen very few metias up close in person like this.

"It's fairly delicate, so handle it with care. Think along the lines of, if you break it, you have to die, as in no do-overs", Subaru said as to emphasize the importance and fragility of the phone.

"Yeah, I'm definitely impressed. If I were to sell this, I'd take no less than fifteen... no, twenty holy coins. It's worth at least that." Felt seemed surprised at Rom's analysis of the object in question.

"Hmm...that phone kind of reminds me of the flip phones Rinnosuke has in his shop. It's kind of sad that Perdita is a competitor and takes some of his business, but it ultimately pays off for both of them as Rinnosuke's business saw a massive boom due to the popularity of the Backrooms Emporium and how Gensokyo residents wanted exotic items for a cheaper price", Apex thought to himself as the exchange was taking place. Apex allowed the back and forth between Subaru, Felt and Rom to go on as it was important to ensuring that the boy stays here and the battle with Elsa occurs.